Zentsuji City, the birthplace of Kobo Daishi Explore mystical spots associated with the great man

Five Things to Do in Zentsuji City Explore mystical spots associated with the great man

The great man Kukai, posthumously named Kobo Daishi, is the glory of Zentsuji City. Kukai is generally known as the monk who founded the Shingon sect of Buddhism. He also demonstrated extraordinary talent in calligraphy, language, architecture, engineering and business. He was an exceptionally talented person who excelled in multiple disciplines who is highly respected to this day.

Kukai was born in Zentsuji City and many legends about him still live on. Explore sites associated with the legendary man in Zentsuji City to activate your untapped power and rejuvenate your mind and body.

Five of Shikoku's
88 sacred places

The 72nd temple The Mandaraji

The Mandaraji is surrounded with lush greenery, enabling you to appreciate the beauty of each season. Believed to be founded in the Asuka period, it is one of the oldest sacred places in Shikoku. The temple was originally built by the Saeki family, the feudal lords of the Sanuki domain. Initially named Yosaka-dera, it is the birthplace of Kukai. When he returned from Tang China, he built a Buddha hall to be the final resting place of his mother Tamayori Gozen and enshrined the mandalas he brought back from Tang in the temple. The name of the temple was then changed to the Mandaraji. The principal deity is Dainichi Nyorai, and the grounds which cover an area of over 1,500 tsubo (approximately 4,950 square meters) include various buildings such as the main hall, Daishido Hall, Gomado Hall, and Kannondo Hall. Surrounded by sacred trees and with a roof adorned with richly decorated tiles, the main hall radiates solemnity. Other points of interest within the temple's grounds include Saigyo’s Nap Stone, where Saigyo, a poet and priest active in the late Heian and early Kamakura periods, is said to have rested, and the Kasakake Sakura, a cherry tree on which Saigyo noticed that a fellow traveler had left their hat (kasa) hanging.

A story associated with Kukai
that has been passed down at the Mandaraji

There used to be a pine tree called The Immortal Pine that had been hand planted by Kobo Daishi himself which was over 1,200 years old. Unfortunately, it had to be felled in 2002 due to damage caused by pine worms. An image of Kobo Daishi was then carved on the trunk and then enshrined as Kasamatsu Daishi. The spot where The Immortal Pine was planted is now covered and there is a sign indicating its location to allow worshippers to appreciate how large the tree was.

Chief priest Seibun

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The 73rd temple The Shusshakaji

The Shusshakaji is located at the foot of Mt. Gahaishi. From its elevated grounds, visitors can admire the view of the urban area and the Seto Inland Sea.
The inner sanctuary of the temple called Shashingatake Zenjou is situated on the high mountain Shashingatake that soars upward behind the temple grounds. Legend has it that a young Kukai threw himself off the steep cliff pledging his dedication to Buddhism. He was then saved by Shaka Nyorai, who was accompanied by a heavenly maiden and fulfilled his great vow. Many worshippers come to this temple to pray that their wishes also come true. From the sacred mountaintop away from the bustling city, visitors can admire the breathtaking view of the Seto Inland Sea and distant mountains. Visitors can ring the Tenku no Kane (Heaven's Bell) while admiring the view from the mountaintop. The powerful resonance of the bell deeply moves visitors.
The hydrangea that grow within the temple grounds and along the entrance path flower in June. The temple arranges hanachozu (purifying water basins decorated with colorful flowers) about three times a year. When they do so, they also blow bubbles around the basin, allowing visitors to celebrate the beauty of each season.

A story associated with Kukai
that has been passed down at the Shusshakaji

There is an old story about Shusshakaji's inner sanctuary on the sacred mountain. Legend has it that the seven-year-old Kobo Daishi, then known as Mao, threw himself off the steep cliff saying: "I want to be a Buddhist priest in the future and spread the teachings of the Buddha to save as many people as possible. Come rescue me Shaka Nyorai if you think I am worthy of making my wish come true. If not, I dedicate this body to the Buddhas." Purple clouds formed as soon as he threw himself off the cliff, and Shaka Nyorai appeared with a heavenly maiden, a sign indicating that his great vow would be granted. The Yanagi no Mizu spring can be found on the road to the inner sanctuary. The spring water is said to have healing properties and to have emerged from the ground where Kobo Daishi rested his cane.

Chief priest Okada

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The 74th temple The Koyamaji

The Koyamaji is said to have been built on the grounds where the young Kukai played. It is believed that a part of the reward money he received from the Imperial Court for repairing the embankment of the Manno Ike irrigation reservoir was used to build this temple. The principle deity is Yakushi Nyorai and one of the two attendants is Gakko Bosatsu, who is holding the moon with an image of a rabbit in it. Inspired by this image, many objects seen on the temple grounds feature rabbits, such as statues and decorative roof tiles. Naturally, the temple is affectionately known to worshippers as the rabbit temple. There is a theory that the relationship between rabbits and temples has its origin in The Rabbit in the Moon (one of the Jataka tales about the previous existences or births of Buddha).
Pretty objects sold at the temple, such as colorful ribbons used in place of wooden votive tablets and adorable amulets, are popular with visitors. Worshippers are sure to remember the temple's calm, peaceful atmosphere.
You can also meditate in a room with fusuma sliding doors featuring impressive calligraphy to invigorate your mind and body.

A story associated with Kukai
that has been passed down at the Koyamaji

It is believed that a part of the reward money that Kukai received from the Imperial Court for repairing the embankment of the Manno Ike irrigation reservoir was used to build this temple. According to an old story, when Kobo Daishi was walking to look for a plot of land to build a new temple between the Mandaraji and the Zentsuji, an old man appeared from a cave at the foot of Mt. Koyama and told him to build a temple there. Kobo Daishi was overjoyed and he carved a Bishamonten from the rock. The statue was then enshrined in the cave. The Bishamonten statue still watches over worshippers to this day.

Second priest Kyojun

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The 75th temple The Sohonzan Zentsuji

The Zentsuji temple is the birthplace of Kukai. It is officially known as the Byobugaura Gogakuzan Tanjoin Zentsuji, and it is the head temple of the Shingon sect's Zentsuji-ha.
It is said to be named after his father Yoshimichi and is one of the three great spiritual sites of Kobo Daishi, along with the Kongobuji on Mt. Koya and the Kyoogokokuji in Kyoto.
The temple grounds cover an area of 45,000 square meters and are divided into two areas: The To-in, called Garan, which is said to have been modeled after Qinglong Temple in Chang'an (present day Xi'an, China), and the Sai-in, called Tanjoin, which is built on the site of ruins of the Saeki family residence where the birthplace of Kobo Daishi.
The majestic Zentsuji offers visitors a setting for tracing the origin and history of Kobo Daishi on every occasion within the temple's grounds.

A story associated with Kukai
that has been passed down at the Zentsuji

Okuden, a small inner sanctum in the Miedo hall of the Sai-in is believed to have been built on the site of Kobo Daishi's mother's room, the room where he was born. There are associated with Kobo Daishi in many places within the temple grounds, including the well which provided the water for his first bath and the large camphor trees by the To-in that are thought to be over 1,300 years old. They were already there, playmates of Kobo Daishi during his childhood. Mikage no Ike pond by the Sai-in is said to be where Kobo Daishi painted the self-portrait he gave to his mother before traveling to Tang China to study. The Buddha appeared from Mt. Koshiki and cast light on the pond's surface to help him look at his own reflection and complete the self-portrait he gave to his mother.

Nakashima, Public Relations

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The 76th temple The Konzoji

The Konzoji is a temple of the Tendai sect, which is unusual among the 88 sacred places across Shikoku. This is where Chisho Daishi Enchin, the nephew of Kukai who became the fifth head priest of the Hieizan Enryakuji, was born. Chisho Daishi Enchin traveled to Tang China to study esoteric Buddhism like Kobo Daishi before him, building a foundation for the spread of esoteric Buddhism in Japan. He is a great man that Zentsuji City is proud of.
The deity enshrined here is Kariteimo (Kishimojin). The local people affectionately call her Okarutensan. Legend has it that a goddess suddenly appeared in front of young Chisho Daishi when he was playing on the temple grounds and promised to protect him while he studied Buddhism. Many continue to come to this temple to pray for pregnancy and safe childbirth.
In the Meiji period, Maresuke Nogi, a general who led the 11th Division of the Imperial Japanese Army, famously used the temple as his quarters. Tableware, books and military caps used by him are still kept carefully in the temple.

A story associated with Kukai
that has been passed down at the Konzoji

The Konzoji is where Chisho Daishi, the nephew of Kobo Daishi, was born. Legend has it that while Kobo Daishi was visiting the temple, he started calling the three-year-old Chisho Daishi "Chie Doshi" (a very bright child), because he thought of him as the reincarnation of Monju Bosatsu. Statues of Chisho Daishi, Jinpen Daibosatsu, the founder of the Shugendo, and Kobo Daishi are enshrined in the Soshido hall. A rope is hung from the ceiling to ensure a special connection between the two Daishi and worshippers.

Second priest Tessai

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Other places
associated
with the
legendary Kukai

The Senyuji

When a young Kukai, then known as Mao, was praying to a statue of the Buddha he made from mud within the ground, a messenger of the Imperial Court passed by. Village officials tried to remove Kukai, but the messenger stopped them. He got off his horse and bowed to Mao with his hands together. According to legend, the village officials asked why, and the messenger replied, "This boy must be a prodigy. He is protected by The Four Heavenly Kings."

The Inuzuka

During his visit to India, Kukai desperately tried to obtain a rare medicinal plant that grew only in the country. Upon leaving the country, he attempted to take three of the plant's seeds with him. A watchdog then barked loudly. He insisted that he did not steal the seeds. The poor dog was beaten to death by a guard. Kobo Daishi felt sorry for the dog and brought it back to life using the secrets of Shingon. He eventually returned from Tang China with the dog. He buried the dog here after its death. The seeds that he brought home are said to be wheat.

Shichibutsu Yakushi

Seven stone statues of Yakushi Nyorai said to have been carved by Kukai himself are enshrined in the Shichibutsu Yakushi, a temple originally built by him. It was previously known as the Iozan Shichibutsuji and visited by many worshippers praying for abundant harvests and relief from plagues. The old temple burned down during a battle in the medieval period. A stone statue was unearthed years later during the construction of Yoshihara Oike pond, and it was enshrined once again in this place.

Do you want to know more about Kukai?

The Zentsuji City Public Library

If you want to know more about Kukai, please visit the Zentsuji City Public Library where there is a special section for books related to Kukai.
A wide variety of books related to Kukai are available, from children's books to rare books that are normally not available at ordinary book shops.

Five Things to Do in Zentsuji City Explore mystical spots associated with the great man